The Magical Year

By: Davian Smith

The University of Montevallo fishing team claimed it’s first Bass Pro Shops School of the Year title in program history on last season and is currently in the driver’s seat to win another school of the year title.

About The Program

The University of Montevallo fishing team a club within the Outdoor Scholars Program which is a program rooted in keeping college kids involved with the outdoors. Last year team was made up of over forty anglers from multiple different regions of the country who all competed in fishing tournaments representing their school against other anglers and the college they were from. Listed below is a link regarding more information about the team and a full roster.

Stats and Achievements

Eighteen Top Ten finishes
Four tournament wins
Twenty-one teams out of Twenty-six qualified for a National Championship Tournament in at least one trail fished

Held the School of the Year title for nine consecutive months from September until May ( longest active streak in ACA Collegiate Bass history)

Won Schools First School of the Year Title

Dakendrick (DK) Patterson is currently a senior on the team this year. Patterson is a member of the 2018 recruitment class. Whenever he joined the team in 2018 the team very small in number but still manage to do very well against the other colleges.

Patterson said “ If you would have mentioned two years ago that I would have a championship ring I would not believe it.” He goes on to say “ I am really grateful to be surrounded by a bunch of great anglers who push each other everyday to be the best we can be.

*Drew Traffanstedt University of Montevallo fishing team member, Courtesy: Ethan Hoanker*

Drew Traffanstedt a Senior angler on the fishing team gives credit to head coach William Crawford for keeping the team levelheaded all season. Traffanstedt said “Coach Crawford gave us a quote from the first day that went over well within our program” he goes on to say “ the motto was as a team we want to beat everyone at everything including throwing rocks.” “One team did not carry the entire load all season multiple teams contributed at every event and that is what made it the magical season.” Traffanstedt said the race this year is very close with us being just 600 points ahead of Auburn for the School of the year title every tournament counts majorly with just a few months left to go.